Finding the key to heaven lies in knowing Jesus

February 22, Tuesday, 7th Week In Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: 1 Peter 5:1-4; Mathew: 16: 13-19

In today’s reading, St. Peter begins to address the elders of the churches in which this epistle would circulate. If they hesitated to obey, he appealed to his authority and the fact that he was one of them. His authority as an apostle comes from the fact that he witnessed Jesus’ sufferings.

In the gospel reading, Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

Peter begins his appeal to the elders in various churches in Asia Minor. He makes this appeal not based on the authority that rested upon him but on three things.

1. Peter is an older man himself and understands the suffering involved with it.
2. Peter is a witness to the suffering of Christ.
3. Peter is a partaker of the glory to be revealed.

In the gospel, Jesus says, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The gospel shows everyone that no matter what situation we are in, we will have the key to heaven as long as we recognize who Jesus is. In other words, if a believer has faith, God will answer their prayers.

We need to ask ourselves where I stand regarding my faith in Jesus. Am I able to stand the world's current trends and its selfishness? Would I stand as a witness to the Lord even in the hour of crisis when my opponents stick to acquiring worldly gains in exchange?